Palace keeps in touch with INC, Catholic Church

By Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Wednesday said the Palace has "been in touch" with both the Iglesia ni Cristo and the Catholic Church.

Lacierda did not specify which Palace officials have been meeting with the INC and the Catholic Church and what specifically are the topics being discussed.

He said the Palace is "not bothered" by the bible exposition to be held by the INC on February 28, adding that it is a religious activity.

He also said Malacañang is not involved in a newspaper ad discussing the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona. The ad is said to have been put out by the Black and White Movement.

"Removing all technicalities, all arguments, this is what we have uncovered so far and I think this is informing the public to be engaged and to know what's going on in the impeachment trial," Lacierda said.

The President's spokesman earlier said Malacañang is open to discussing with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and INC “the merits" of the Corona impeachment trial.

Lacierda said there is no reason to stop the impeachment trial following a report that Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles has reservations why the impeachment trial is continuing.

“It may not be a Biblical solution to his perspective but it is a Constitutional solution when it comes to impeaching or removing government officials,” he said.

He said he was expecting Arguelles and retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz to bat for the presentation of Corona’s alleged bank accounts, saying this is part of the search for truth.